AN AMERICAN SILVER ICE BOWL AND ICE SPOON, GORHAM MANUFACTURING CO., PROVIDENCE, RI, CIRCA 1870

Christie's, New York, May 21, 2013, lot 65

The iconography of this ice bowl and spoon relates to the 1867 purchase of Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million. Also at this time, the Bostonian, Frederic Tudor (1783-1864) developed the technology to harvest, market, and sell ice to an affluent client base. Ice was a luxury in the late 19th century, and these silver bowls reflected its value and prestige. (See Samuel J. Hough, "The Class of 1870: Gorham Sterling Ice Bowls," Silver Magazine, September-October 1989, pp. 30-33)

An ice bowl and tongs sold in these Rooms January 16, 2003, lots 80 and 81, and January 18, 2002, lot 265. An ice bowl and spoon from the collection of Sam Wagstaff, sold Christie's, New York, January 20, 1989, lot 86, is now in the collection of the Dallas Museum of Art.